New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-03-05
THE WORK OF THE LAST CONGRESS.

WYNN VT hAOA NO4>NhA|SSs
BILLS THAT HAVE PASSED AND THOSE THAI HAVE
FAuED-A RECORD OF UNFULFILLED PROM
IsEs.
WASHINGTON, March (SpeoiaD.-The XL1Xth
Congress- which died to-day, has LETT commend
ible measures of general legislation on the statute
books but il will be chiefly remarkable for the things
which It promised to do and lett undone Among the
acts which have been passed the to provide for
the succession the Presidency in OF the death or
disability OF both the President ana VicePresident
the act regulating the counting of the electoral vote
the oct amendatory of the AntiPo, gam, laws, which
goes on the statute book without the Presidents ap
proval the Retaliation act the act providing Tor the
granting OF lands in severalty to Indians the provi-
sion the redemption of the trade dollar the act e1-
tending free delivery service with popu,a-
ton OF 10000, which yield gross postal revenue
OF $4,000 year: the act granting pensions 70 tne
soldiers and sailors OF the Mexiosn War: the Inter
state Commerce law; the amendment to the Militia
law the Anti Convict Labor law; the Oeomargarine
law the law to aid 10 the maintenance OF agricultural
experiment stations in the several States ana some
others.
About 40 bills granting pensions to individuals and
the bill granting pensions to INDECENT un1n veterans
after passing both houses, were vetoed by the Pres
dens. In every where the vetoed measure was
brought to vote, except one the President has been
sustained by Democratic House. The bull granting
pension to Mrs. Logan defeated in the House;
In the ssne body smothered the Blair Educational
bill the Agricultural Department bill the Bankruptcy
bill and the bill to repeal Internal Revenue taxes on
tobacco All OF these measures VIII one faction
other OF the Democratic party was pledged TO
carry through.
In the sharp and bittor contest between the Admin
istration and the Democratic party in the House on
the silver aud currency questions prevented any iegs
lstion either subject. The loud p omises to revise
the tariff which were made at the last Democratic
National Convention have not been redeemed. A
faction OF the Democrats in the House opposed the
recommendations OF the Administration, and the in-
capacity OF the Administration faction IN Congress pre-
vented 1t from dong anything. ,
During a large part OF the first session and the whole
~ lat laatal On Tar
Representatives was concerned, was controlled abeo-
lutey by n force hitherto unknown in Congress. The
Speaker together with the leaders OF the two Demo
cratic factions throtted every measure which a
majority of them had not approved and prevented the
House from exercising its functions under the Consti-
tuition. These three men stnbDorIly opposed every
proposition make suitable provision Tor the National
defence In Mr. Randalis committee were emothefed
bills TO provide armament of modern guns tor the
Army and Navy which bills had passed the Senate
nlmo.t unanimously. In the Naval Committee were
smothered the Senate bills authorizing the cousti no
ton OF ships OF war and vessels for coast and
harbor defence. Ii only by means OF Senate
amendment Ia the Naval Appropriation bill that any
ca tension OF Government effort in either direction be-
came possible.
The effort to amend the Internal Revenue laws. so
TO minimize the difficulties encountered by Illicit
dstillers only defeated by almost solid resist
ance OF the minority while al the same time the House
by large majority. approved parliamentary trick
By means OF which river and harbOT bill was forced
through without debate, and which only failed OF be-
coming Law by pocket veto
There were introduced in the House OF Representa-
ves ,259 bills and 263 joint resolutions. Oi these
measures l73 reI orted back from the various
committees with favorable or adverse recommendation,
and majority OF them died. If they are TO have any
fe in future Congresses they must he TeintTodnce1
The last committee report was submitted by Dir.
Brec eni idge OF Kentucky, and the bill pro
Iosing TO admit dIt, Tree materials 10 be used in re-
building Easiport. Maine. which was DESTROYED by
fire. There introduced in the Senate 3,31f bills
and uin, resolutions and the percentage reported
from committees little higher than III the House